By Admin 
The strike of private bus operators in Rajasthan continues for the third consecutive day today (26 February). The operators allege that the Transport Department officials are continuously harassing them after the Jaisalmer incident. Because of which they are facing many problems. However, passengers are facing the brunt of the private bus strike. A political battle is also going on regarding the strike. It is being claimed that the strike is not only in Rajasthan but in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh as well as some parts of UP.
In fact, in the month of October last year, more than two dozen passengers aboard a moving bus died in a fire in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. After this, other incidents of fire in moving buses were also reported at many places including Jaipur. After these incidents, the transport department woke up from its slumber and started cracking down on private buses. However, the Private Bus Operators Association clearly alleges that they are being harassed under the guise of following the rules.
Challan is being issued for small deficiencies – Rajendra Sharma
According to Rajendra Sharma, President of Rajasthan Private Bus Operators Association, challan of Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh is being issued to them for small deficiencies. Their buses are being seized. Transport department officials misbehave with them. According to Chairman Rajendra Sharma and former Chairman Ashutosh alias Ashu, safety of passengers has always been their priority.
He has no objection to the new rules that the Transport Department wants to implement, he is also working on them, but separate time should be fixed for each work and only after that action should be taken. Harassment will not be tolerated at all.
Common people are bearing the brunt of the conflict between bus operators and the government.
On the other hand, common people are having to bear the brunt of the conflict between private bus operators and the government. It is being claimed that about thirty-five thousand buses of Rajasthan are affected by the strike. Ten to twelve lakh passengers travel on these buses every day. Passengers are troubled due to the strike that took place just before the festival of Holi. They are neither able to get tickets in trains nor are there sufficient numbers of roadways buses. Passengers say that the government and operators should sit together and find a solution.
Government is working only keeping in mind the safety of passengers – Premchand Bairwa
On the other hand, politics has also intensified regarding this issue. Congress, the main opposition party in Rajasthan Assembly, has raised the issue of private bus strike and has demanded from the government to end it as soon as possible. Leader of opposition in the Assembly, Tikaram Julie, says that private bus operators have gone on strike due to corruption of officials. The harassment by bus owners must stop. The government should take some concrete initiative soon.
In this regard, State Transport Minister and Deputy CM Premchand Bairwa says that the government is working only keeping in mind the safety of the passengers. A solution will soon be found through talks. Now it remains to be seen when the strike of private buses ends and when the people suffering from problems get relief.
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